Cork-packing machine



Sept 16 1924.

M. ELLRICH CORK PACKING MACHINE Filed Jan.

21 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I vwentoz MMM Filed Jan. 21. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 """W I 10 "J 55 t m M 110a oz Sept. 16 1924.

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Sept. 16, 1924. Y

M. ELLRICH CORK PACKING MACHINE Filed Jan. .21. 192:

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 16, 1924.

MAX ELLRICI-l', OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERS EY, Assio-noia, lBY

nnsnr. ASSIGNMENTS,

TO MARIE CHRISTENSEN, or LenoorrLYn, NEW YORK.

CORK-PACKING. MACHINE.

Application filed January 21, 1921. Serial No. 438,907.

The present invention relates to a machine for filling and packing tubes or molds with ground or comminuted material, such as cork to produce sticks or rods, from which subsequently disks are cut to be used with crown caps.

The cork disks may consist of natural cork or so called composition cork. Natural cork, even of the best quality, is porous. The use of composition cork is steadily increasing owing to the low price as well as its homogeneity.

Composition cork is made'of granulated cork refuse mixed with a binder consisting ordinarily of glue, glycerine and certain chemicals having preserving properties. The cork rods are usually made 1 in diameter and two feet in length. The cork mixture is filled in tubes, compressed to of its original volume, baked in an oven and cooled. The mixture of cork and binder must be handled with care. The sticky binder partly is absorbed by the cork and partly forms a coating around the cork granules. By the cooling and drying process the coating or skin loses its stickiness. As long as the cork is not heated nor squeezed it can be easily treated as it easily flows by its own gravity into the tube to be filled. But if the cork is heated or squeezed the outer skin melts or is severed and the sticky substance appears on the outer surface forming a sticky mass which no longer can be treated. Therefore, the cork packing devices must be so constructed as to reduce squeezing to a minimum and avoid frictional contact with heated parts of the machine.

Likewise the compression of the cork mixture to 31 of its original volume requires special attention.

In a substance like cork the compression pressure is not readily transmitted. If, for instance, we fill an eight foot tube with cork and attempt to compress the cork volume to 2 feet, a cork rod is formed, the upper layer of which becomes steel hard, while the lower layer retains its original consistency. EX-

perience has shown that uniform compression is attained by first filling the tubes with a charge of 5 to 6 charge to about 1%, thenadding a new charge of same volume charg now will have 2%? so on,

and compressing this e to the same degree, so that the tube compressed cork, and until the tube is completely filled.

From the foregoing it follows that the depth to which enter the compression plungers the tubes must become smaller with each stroke, until at the last stroke itonly touches the edge of the tube.

Sin 1 upon and o humidity ce the exact size of each charge or the degree of compression depends on one hand the quality of the cork to be treated 11 the other upon the temperature and of the air, the charge feeding device must be adjustable.

With the hitherto used cork packing machines the heavy plungers working in the tubes are alternately lifted to a certain height and dropped. Sincethe stroke and weight "are constant the power with which the plungers act upon the cork theoretically remai riable resistances due to thrusts non-uniform.

ns the same. In practice, however, va-,

friction render the,

Nor do these machines take any account of the variable resistances offered by different qualities of cork mixture to the compression and changed weather conditions.

As a consequence,

the rods produced by such machines are of non-uniform density.

With my invention these drawbacks are entirely obviated. I

the accompanying drawing in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my machine; Fig. 2 is a side elevation there of; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine;

4. is a vertical section on line 44: of

Fig.

driving table; Fig. 5; Fig. 7-7 of Fig. position; Fig. 8 is a similar showing the compressor in the large cam; Fig. 11 is a section on line 1111 of Fig. 4; 12 is a section on line 1212 of Fig. 4; Fig. 13 is a 'section on line 1 3- 13 of Fig. 4; Fig. 14. is an end eleand compressing said vation of a modification showing a tube unit construction, and Fig. 15 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detail 10 denotes a frame comprisinga substantially rectangular base plate or table 10. Projecting vertically from and fixed to the front part of the table or base plate 10 are two posts 11, which are connected together by two cross bars 12 and 13, the cross bar 12 being arranged near the center of the posts and the cross bar 18 near the upper ends thereof (Figs. 1 and 2). I Revolubly mounted in the table 10 is a vertically extending spindle 14 on which is fixed a turntable composed of two superposed supports 15, 16-, the lower support 15 being arranged near the table 10 and the upper support 16 near the bottom of the cross bar 12. These supports serve to carry two rows of vertically extending chambers, molds or tubes T to be packed by the apparatus forming the subject of this invention. The lower support 15 is in form of a solid plate on which the tubes T rest with their open lower ends and the upper one 16 is perforated as 16 to removably engage the upper open ends of the tubes. The tubes to be filled are at the rear sides of the supports 15, 16 while the empty tubes rest on the front sides thereof (Figs. 3 and 4).

The cross bar 12 is provided with a plurality of tubular openings 12 which are of exactly the same diameter as the inner diameter of the tubes and which are spaced apart to conform with the spacing of the tubes so as to be in alinement with the latter (Fig. 4).

Projecting forwardly from the main cross bar 12 is a bracket 17 in which is revolubly borne the upper end of the vertical spindle 14 carrying the supports 15,16 of the tubes T (Figs. 8' and 4t),

Extending transversely over the table 10 parallel to and between the cross bars 12. 13 is a beam 18 which is formed at its ends with sleeves 19' slidably bearing on the posts 11. Fixed to and projecting downwardly from said beam are a plurality of vertical pl-ungers 20 which are adapted to snuglyfit in the tubes T. There are as many plungers as there are tubes in a row and the same are arranged to be in ali'nement with the rear row of tubes T to be packed. The beam 18 is adapted to receive intermittent vertical reciprocatory motion and during each successive downward stroke the p'l'un'gers 20- are adapted to pass through the openings 12 of the cross bar 12 and enter the: rear row of the tubes T to compress the charge of cork mix-- ture which, while the plungers are in their raised position flows into the tubes from an automatically con-trolled hop-per 21 as will be hereinafter described.

According to hitherto used systems the tubesare packed by plungers of successively reduced lengths, and must be, after each stroke, shifted lnto register with another plunger. This system, known as thestep rod system, has been found disadvantageous. First, the continuous change of position of the tubes entails considerable loss of time, decreasing the capacity of the machine. Then, this change of position requires repeated centering of the tubes. As the tubes, by wear, lose their perfect roundness, their exact centeringbecomes very difficult and often almost impossible, so that the plunger-s when descending are liable not to enter the tubes, but strike against the edges thereof causing damage to the tubes or to the machine.

Furthermore, with each change ofposition of the tubes a small quantity of corkmiXture is wasted, and since for the standard size of tubes the latter change their position about twenty times during a complete packing action, a considerable quantity of material is wasted.

In addition to these drawbacks, there is the one entailed by the irregularities in the filling of the tubes. In the hitherto known machines, the feeding of the material is effected through telescoping horizontally movable tubes which alternately register with the hopper and the molds or chambers to be filled. The material is thus supplied to the molds through comparatively small openings. During the cool weather the feeding may be quite regular, but during warm weather the cork becomes sticky and does not freely flow through these openings or tubes. In hot weather the feeding completely fails and the operation of the machine must cease.

According tomy invention the tubes during the entire packing process are retained in their position. Each downward stroke of the plunger is carried out in two successive steps. First, the plungers are allowed to en ter the tubes until they become lodged on the loose charge previously fed into the tubes. Then, the plungers receive an additional pos itive movement to compress the charge to the desired density. l-Vhile the second step or stroke will be constantly the same, that is, for instance, for a charge of say 5 column, about 1 the first step or first part of the stroke of the plungers will vary with each new charge, the same becoming successively shorter as the charges pile up. The feeding of the charge is effected from the hopper 21 having a large slot like discharge or mouth 21' horizontally extending over the entire rear set of tubes T and leading into a stationary' measuring chamber hereinafter to be described, from which predetermined charge will be freely and regularly supplied to the molds, chambers or tubes T under all weather conditions.

The first part of the stroke of the plunger lit Itotatively supported below the table and extending transversely thereto is a horizontal shaft 23 to the ends of which are fixed double armed balance beams 24; carrying at their rear ends weights 25 and which with their forward ends are pivotally connected through the medium of rods, 26 with the sleeves 19 of the vertically slidable' cross beam 1.8 (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6). -The cross beam 18 is perfectly counterbalanced by the weights 25 so that a slight force will be sufficient tomove the plungers downwardly to carry out the first part of the stroke in the course of the packing process. This force, however, must be resilient, since the length of the stroke varies with each additional charge. Springs or friction could be utilized for this purpose. I prefer, however, to employ pneumatic means as -it is most satisfactory. To this end I provide a suitable double cylinder pump 27 the, piston rods 28 of which are connected by means of a crank lever 29 to the shaft 23 so that by the operation of the piston of one or the other cylinder the shaft 23 will be turned in a certain direction and move the plunger beam 18 downwardly or upwardly as the case may be. The balancing beams 24L are adapted to receive just enough power to, on one hand, depress the plunger beam 18 until the plunger-s are thrust against the loose charge in the tubes or molds T without materially compressing the same, and on the other hand to raise the plungers to their initial inoperative position. The actual compression of the charge is effected during the second step of the downward stroke through the medium of a special positively actuated mechanism which in the following I shall call the compressor.

In lateral extensions 12213 of the cross beams 12, 13 is supported at each end a vertically movable, but not rotary, rod 30. At a lower point. above. the cross bar 12 this rod 30 is provided with a'collar 31 and on its upper end is fixed a. centering sleeve 30 (Fig. l). Rotatively mounted around the rod 30 is a cylinder or hollow body 32 which is centered and held against vertical displacement at its upper end by the sleeve 30 and which rests at its lower end on the collar 31 preferably by means of a ball bearing 33. The lower end of said cylinder 32 is formed integrally with or has attached to it an elongated toothed wheel 34. The upper end of. said cylinder 32 carries two superposed ratchets 35, 36 of which the upper one 36 in length is about equal to the stroke of the cylinder 32 while the lower one in length is very short. These ratchets have equal numbers of teeth, say four, as shown in Fig. 9, and the teeth of the two ratchets are arranged at an angle of relative to one another. Projectlng downwardly from the upper cross bar 13 is a rigid arm 37 which at its ,free lower.

end is formed, witha rigid tooth Or dog 38 adapted to alternately engage the said two ratchets 35, 36 to control the rotary mo tion imparted to the cylinder 32 through a springmechanism tobe hereinafter described (Figs. 1 and 9).

The cylinder 32 on its circumference is provided with a plurality of lugs or fingers 39 which project therefrom and which are arranged in a spiral manner at a certain height from each other. tween each two adjacent lugs correspond to the extent to which each successive charge is to be compressed duringthe second step of a compression stroke. In the present ex ample in which the successive charges of about 5 column are adapted to be compressed to 1% column the distance between the different lugs in height or the vertical stroke of the cylinder 32 is accordingly about 1%.

Meshing with the elongated toothed wheel as of the cylinder 32 is a comparatively narrow wheel l0 which. is carried by the upper end of a hollow shaft 41 rotatively borne in a bearing 12 projecting upwardly from the extension 12 of the cross barl2.

This hollow shaft {i1 is mounted on a solid spindle 42 projecting downwardly through the cross bar 12. The lower end of the hollow shaft 41 has a collar 43 to which is fixed one end of a spiral 4d wound around the lower part of the solid spindle 42, and the other end of which is fixed to said spindle at 45 (Figs. 1 and 2.). The lower end of said solid spindle is rotatively supported in a bearing-d8 provided on the table 10 and carries a worm gear 46. This gear 46 meshes with a worm spindle 47 rotatively supported in, bearings 48. The worm spindle 47 is driven through. sprocket wheels 50, 51 and chain 52 or the like from a. horizontal cam shaft extending transversely over the table 10 and supported in bearings 54 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3).

To completely pack a tube with the cork mixture a number of compression strokes are required. Thus to pack a'tube. of the standard length of 24 by successive charges of a 5 column and compressing each charge to 1-1; eighteen compression strokes of the plungers 20 are required. All the time am, ing a complete packing operation the molds or chambers T are held stationary. At the end of each complete packing operation and before a new, operation commences, the molds'or chambers T of the rear set which have been packed are caused to turn away from the packing position, while the front set of empty molds T are brought into the packing position.

The lugs or fingers 39 on the compressor This height be- 39, may be advantageously arranged in groups or sets, so that those of each group PIOJQCt in the same direction, and the lugs 'of the different groups are arranged at an 30 carrying a compressor cylinder 32, is

pivotally connected through links to a horizontal arm 56. The latter'is fulcrumed to the frame below the table at 57 andcarrise at its free end a roller 58 adapted to be held constantly in contact with a cam 59-by a spring 60 fastened at-one end to zontal arm at 61 and the other end-to the frame or'table 10=-at.61 (Fig. Thetwo cams 59 are fixed to the ends of a constantly drive-n horizontal shaft 62 atthe front of and'helow the table 10 which I shall call the compressor shaft. The cams 59 when actuating the arms 56 will drawthezrods 30 and consequently the compressors 32 downwardly positively cii'ecting thereby a compression stroke of the plungers 20 while the return upward movement of the compressors 32 will be effected through the action of the springs-60 '(Figs. 1 and 2).

The beam 18, or more exactly eachof its sleeves, is-provided with a catch 18 which projects toward the respective compressor 32 and is adapted to be engaged-by the-lugs 39' thereof. Normally the compressor by; the action of the springs 60 is heldzin raised position audits-lugs 39 are so positioned as to clear the path of the catches 18 (Fig. 8). Thisdisplacedposition of the lugs'is insure'd'by the engagement of the dog 38' with the short ratchet wheel ofthe compressor. Just as soon as the compressor commences to move downwardly the :dog 38=passesonto the elongated ratchet 36. Owing to the teeth ofthe-ratchet 36 being set at 45 relative to those of the short ratchet 35,: the dog '38 will release the compressor .32for just an instant, permitting it to turn about 45 under the action of the spring actuated pinion tO- meshing with the toothed. portion 3t of the cylinder-32 thereby bringing a group of grip-persof each compressor. into the path of therespective catch 18 of the plunger beam .18, i. e., into I the position shown in Fig. 7. The lugson' engaging-said catches will asthe downward movement of the compression continues, transmit motion to the "beam 18 causing the "plungers 20 thereof to move in the moldsfor tubes T and compress the charge therein. After the completion of their compression-stroke, and bethe horifore the beam 18 is-permitted to assume its During the next downward stroke after anew charge has been fed into themolds T the beam 18 through the action. of the l pump 27 will again descend until its plungers 2O are thrust against the new charge. This time the lowest position of the beam Willbe 1 less than at the precedingstroke. The compressor "32' thereupon will be \moved down tothe sameeXte-nt as before. Atrthe outsetof this movement the dogr38 passing from small ratchet 35. onto the. long ratchet 36 will. permitthecompressor -32I'to make awturn of 45 -"bringing the nextgroup Of lugs39 into thepath of the catches .18 of the -'plunger beam 18 and force the latter. down to the same-extent as before that is 4:1 as per present example. "This is repeated eighteen times. Owing tothe grouping .of theilugs 39 the compressor has tomakea full rotation during each four compression strokes. The springs 1-4- actuating-t-he pinions A0 would completely unwind .themselves during that; period. In order. to retain the springs at uniform force during each compress-ion stroke, thespindle .42 must .be given a full revolution during the same period. This is accomplished-by selectinga ratio of 11st inthetransmission of rotation of the spindles 4-2 from tl1ecam1shaft:53 through the worm gears t6,47.

The charges are filled from the hopper 21 having an automatically controlled measuring de ice. The hopper 21.issupported above the tableat a suitable-elevationfrom the center cross beam 12andextends with its mouthQl over thearea occupied by the rear series of molds .T to be filled. Thenieasuring deviceis arranged below the.- mouth ,21 and consists of a box like structiu'e'having a horizontallymova-ble slide 63 =at its top actingv as. partition between the-boxand the hopper, and a horizontally slidable bottom or s-hutter- Gt. The rear side wall 22 of the measuring box is made adjustable and is fixed .to a set screw& 65 (Fig. 1) whereby when desired the capacity of the box ;may be increased or reduced according tothe charge idesired. :The two-slides 63, Get, are eachconnected at the; rear to a, pairof horizontally movable rods v66; suit-ablyeguided; in brackets 67, 685 fixed .to av stationary part 12 of the crossbar. 12. The rodsareeach actuated by a spring 69 the tendency of which is to move the former rearwardly or into open position. This: tendency, however, is counteracted by a knuckle or hell crank arm 70 provided for each slide and fulcrumed at 70 in a bracket projecting from the part 12 These bell cranks are connected by wires or rods 71 to the main operating mechanism to be hereafter described.

By the adjustment of the wall 22 the measuring box 2 can be made to holdthe exact quantity of the desired charge for a given set of molds T. Owing to the considerable large bottom opening 21" of the hopper 21 the cork mixture will be allowed to freely fall by its own weight into the box 22 when the upper slide. 63 is withdrawn. A suit-able agitator may be provided to stir the mixture, if necessary. After the box is filled to its full capacity and the slide 63 closed, the lower slide 6a is slowly opened to allow the mixture: to flow in a uniform stream onto a steep chute 72 extending downwardly toward the openings 12 of the cross bar 12. The slides 63, 64c are preferably so actuated relative to the plungers 20 that a part of the charge will already be deposited on. the chute 72 adjacent to the openings 12 when the plungers during their up ward stroke are just passing out from said openings 12, so that owing to the vacuum created at that moment in said openings the feeding of the charge will be greatly accelerated. The movement of. the plungers is such, that for a short time they will remain at a standstill in their elevated position, in order to give the charge suflicient time to completely enter the tubes T.

As the plungcrs 20 during the operation of the machine have the tendency to vibrate there is danger that during their downward stroke they may miss passing into the openings 12 of the cross bar 12. To prevent.

this. I provide on the latter a suitable guide which prior to the plungers arriving at the openings will engage the same and guide them steadily into the openings 12. Such guide may consist of an upstanding flange 73 rigidly fixed to the bar 12 and extending the entire length thereof or of that occupied by the series of openings 12 thereof. The flange is arranged opposite the chute 72 and has: on its side facing the openings 12 vertical semi-cylindrical grooves 73 to snugly engage the plungers 20. The flange also serves as a shield in that it prevents the cork mixture from dropping oil the bar 12 while passing from the chute 72 into the opening 12 (Figs. 4 and 1]).

On the shaft 53 is rotatively mounted a hollow shaft Tet constituting the main cam shaft of the machine. This shaft carries a ratchet wheel 75 having a single tooth. Fixed to the solid shaft 53 a j ont to said ratchet wheel is a lever arm 76 carrying a pawl 77 (Figs. 3 and 1), which is adapted to cooperate with said ratchet wheel 75 to impart intermittent rotary motion to said hollow cam shaft 74. As the ratchet wheel has only one tooth the engagement with the pawl will alwaystake placeat one and the same place. At the rear end of the table 10 I provide a large cam 78 which is adapted to make one revolution during a complete packing ope-ration. This slow movement is effected through the medium of a worm gear 79 mounted on the horizontal spindle 80 carrying the cam 78. The worm 79 meshes with a worm spindle 81, extending parallel to shaft 7 4: and receiving motion through chaintransmission 83 and sprockets 84;, 85 from the main pulley shaft 82 arranged at the rear and below the table (Figs. 1, 3 and 6). From shaft 82 motion is transmitted also to shaft 53 through. sprocket chain 83 and gears 84, '85

Provided below the table 10 is a train of gears; 86, 187, 88, 89 driven throughichain, sprockets 90, 91 and chain 92 continuously from the pulley shaft drives a. crank shaft 93. The crank arm 94c thereof is connected through a link 95 to a crank arm 96 fixed. on a shaft 97' parallel to shaft 82 and carrying a spring actuated pawl 98 adapted to operate a ratchet wheel 99 mounted on the shaft'97. During one half of a revolution of the crank shaft 93, the pawl will be caused to feed the ratchet wheel 99. The shaft 97 of this ratchet wheel through gears 100, 101 will transmit movementto a crankshaft 102, the crank 103 of which is connected by a link 104. at105 to a horizontally guided rack 106. This rack meshes with a pinion 107 fixed on thelower end of the spindle ll which carries the turntable 15, 16, on which the two sets of tubes or molds Tare mounted (F 6). During the packing period the pawl 98 is held out of contact with the ratchet 99. This lac complish by the following mechanism :'j

In a bracket 108 fixed to and projecting downwardlyfrom the lower face of the table 10 at 109 is pivoted an arm 110 extendin across the ratchet 99 and from the free ent of which projects upwardly through the table 10 push rod 111. The arm 110 is actuated by a spring 112 so as to normally. be raised and therebyengage and lift the, pawl 98 from the ratchet 99. Fulcrumedon the upper face of the table 10 near the push rod 111 is a bell crank 113 one arm of which is adapted to act on the push rod 111 and the other is connected by a link 114', to a lever 115 fulcrumed on the table at 116 and carrying a roller 117 adapted to beactuated 82. This gear train once during a complete packing operation of compression strokes during a packing operation has been effected the cam 7 8 causes the lever 115 to swing forwardly and there by operate the bell crank 113 so as to depress the push rod 111, as a result of which the arm 110 is depressed releasing the pawl 98 so as to permit it to engage the ratchet 99 and transmit rotation thereto. The rotation of the ratchet 99 will cause the rack 106 to move longitudinally and rotate the pinion 107 thereby turning the turntable 15, 16 around the axis of the spindle 14 and reversing the position of the two sets of tubes T, i. e., bringing the rear packed set to the front and the front empty set into the packing position. On the release of the push rod 111 the arm 110 is drawn back into its elevated position lifting thereby the pawl 98 out of contact with the ratchet 99.

To properly guide the tubes T in the turntable or support 15, 16 I provide the following mechanisms Fixed centrally to the lower plate 15 is a member 118 which at each of its longitudinal edges is provided with a series of semi-circular notches 118 in number corresponding with those of the tubes T in one row and serving to engage the latter when positioned on the lower plate 15 (Figs. 4 and 13).

From the upper plate 16 project downwardly two parallel rows of fingers 119 each formed with a lateral flange 119 (Figs. 2 and 4). These fingers serve to guide the tubes into the holes 16 of the plate 16 while they are being inserted from underneath the plate 16 in inclined position. The holes 16 are made somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the tubes and are formed with radial projections 16 Extending across each row of tubes and above the support 16 is a resilient member, such as spring wire 120 fixed in supports 121 and which is adapted when the tubes are passed into the holes 16 of the plate 16 to press them against the projections 16 and thereby steady them in position (Figs. 4 and 12).

The lower plate 15 is advantageously supported on a flange 15 arranged on the table and in alinement with the rear series, of tubes T so as to take up the thrust of the plungers during the compression strokes and thus act as a thrust bearing.

To obviate friction during the turning of the turntable 15, 16, after the completion of a packing operation, spindle 14 may be yieldingly supported in its hearings to allow the support 15 of being held somewhatraised from the flange or thrust bearing- 15. To this end the spindle 14 is borne with its lower end on a spring actuated pin 122 6).

The tubes must also be very exactly positioned relative to the plungers, since otherwise there is danger that the plungers while descending will be thrust against the upper edges of the tubes. To this end the upper mally projected into the pin hole 123 and lock the support or turntable in position. Vlhen a packing operation has been completed it is necessary to have the turntable 15, 16 released to allow of its being turned around the axis of the spindle 14. This unlocking is accomplished by the: large cam 78 in the following manner The upper end of the locking pin 124 is pivotally connected to a crank arm 125 fixed to the front end of a horizontal spindle 126 rotatively borne in a stationary part of the frame. The rear end of said spindle carries another crank arm 127 which by a connecting rod 128 is connected to a crank arm 129 fixed to the front end of a horizontal spindle 130 extending immediately above and across the table 10 and rot-atively borne in bearings 131. The rear end of said spindle 130 has fixed to it another crank arm 132 which through a link 133 is connected to a crank arm 134 on a shaft 135 supported in bearings 136. The rear end of said shaft 135 carries a roller arm 137 the roller 138 of which is actuated by the cam 78 once during a full revolution of the latter.

The valve chamber 139 of the pump 27 contains four valves 140 two for each cylinder. These valves through rods 141 are each controlled by a 'cam 142 fixed on the hollow cam shaft 74 (Fig. When the pawl 77 is in engagement with the ratchet 75 motion is transmitted to the hollow shaft 7 4 whereby the four cams 142 will successively operate the valves, 140 first those of one cylinder of the pump then those of the other. Thereby the balance beams 24 will be caused to lower the plunger beam 18 until the plungers 20 are thrust against the charge in the tubes T and subsequently raise the plunger beam 18 into initial position.

On the hollow shaft 74 are additional four cams 143 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) of which each two are adapted through arms 144 fulcrumed at 145. and connected to the rods or wires 71 to successively actuate the bell crank 7 O of each slide 63, 64 of the charge measuring box.

At the completion of a compression operation and after the plungers have left the tubes during their return stroke it is necessary to throw out of gear the hollow cam shaft 74 and to simultaneously throw'into gear the mechanism operating the turntable or. tube supports 15, 16. This last named operation, as has been explained, iseffected through the push rod 111 by the large cam 7 8 (Fig. 6). The throwing out of gear of the hollow cam shaft 7 4 is accomplished in a similar manner by the large cam 78 vided at each end with a through the medium of a rod 146 carrying a roller 147 adapted to be actuated by the cam 78 once during a complete packing operation. The forward end of said rod is pivoted to a circular arm 148 fulcrumed. at 149 to a stationary part 150 and adapted normally to lie below the circumference of the ratchet, but when raised through the medium of the rod 146 to lift the pawl 77 out of engagement with said ratchet 75, as a result of which the camshaft 74 will discontinue its rotation.

As the positioning and removal of individual molds or tubes onto and from the turn table or support would entail some loss of time and because of the necessity of providing centering means for each individual tube, it may be advantageous to unite sets of tubes to a unit, i. e., provide sets of tubes which at both ends are joined together to a rigid body, so that the tubes in position ing and removal may be handled all at once.

'Such modified construction is shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Here two sets of molds or tubes T are suitably fixed on top and bottom to cross pieces 151, 151 to form a unit. Such unit is adapted to be positioned between and securely supported by superposed bars or supports 152, 152? centrally mounted on the spindle 14. The lower bar 152 has at each end a short pin 153 which is adapted to snugly engage a hole 151 provided at each end of the lower cross piece 151, while the upper bar 152 is proadapted to engage a hole 151 provided at each end of the upper cross piece 151'. lVhile the lower bar 152 may be permanently fixed in position on the spindle .14 the upper bar 152 may be made adjustable vertically on said spindle 14 to permitthe unit to be easily and quickly positioned in or removed from the packing position. The upper bar 152 may be slotted or perforated (not shown) to permit the passage of the plungers therethrough while reciprocating vertically.

The mode of operation is as follows Two sets of tubes to be packed are placed by the operator in upright position on the turntable 15, 16. The two sets, are to be packed successively. The set to be first packed is located on the rear side of the turntable, while the other set is on the front side thereof. Both, the plunger beam 18 and the compressor 32 are intheir elevated positions with the gripper members 39 ex.- tending as shown in Fig. 8 clearingthe path of the beam 18. The locking pins 124 by their springs 124 hold the turntable 15, 16

steady in packing position- The corkmixe.

ture is then allowed to flow into and fill the hopper 21 from a suitable source.

When the machine is started the measuring device is. first operated, the two cams longer pin 154' the full capacity with the desired charge. ,Upon the return of the stops 70 into initial position the slide 63 is'closed. Simultaneously with the closing of slide 63 the stops 70 of thebottom slide 64 are actuated by the corresponding cams, releasing said slide 64 so that it will now open under the action of its springs 69 and permit the contents of the box 22 to drop onto the chute 7 2. Then by the return of the stops 70iinto initialposition the slide 64 will be closed. About that time the pump 27 is operated by the opening of the inlet valve 140 of one of the cylinders through the action of the corresponding cam 142 on the cam shaft 74.

As a result thereof the beam 18 begins its first downward stroke. The beam descends until its plungers 20 passing through the openings 12 into the tubes T strike against the charge. The beam 18 will then stopfor an instant, the pressure exerted by the pump being overcome by the resistance offered by the charge. Then the beam 18 reaches the lowest point of the stroke under the action of the pump 27 the compressors 32 begin their downward stroke and the pawls 38 which have been engaging the short ratchets pass onto the elongated ratchets 36. The

compressors 32 become thereby released and through the action of the spring actuated pinions 40 are instantly turned around as a result of which one set of the grippers 39 on each compressor are thrown into the path of the catches 18 of the beam 18.

In relation to the beam 18 or the catches 18 thereof the grippers of the compressors 32 are so arranged that when the beam reaches its lowest position during the action. of the pump there will be a gripper on each compressor just about even with the upper face of the corresponding catches 18'. The downwardmovement of the compressors 32 is now positively continued by said gripers. c onstitutes, the actual compression stroke, whereby the charge is compressed to the desired density.

Prior to the completion of the return stroke of the plunger beam 18 the compressors 32 begin their ascent whereby the pawls 38 which "have been engaging the upper ratchets 36 holding grippers 39 projecting toward the beam will now pass back onto the ratchets 35- releasing the compressors 32 and thus permitting them to be turned back. into inoperative position through the action of thespring actuated pinions 40. Now the balanced beams 24 are operated in the reverse direction by the other pump cylinder whose valves 140' are now successivelyactuated by-the corresponding cams 142 where,-

This part of the downward stroke tial or elevated position.

This completes one phase or cycle of a complete packing process.

Prior to the next stroke of the plungers 20 the slides 63, 64 of the measuring box are.

operated in the manner heretofore described to deposit a new charge of the same quantity onto the chute 72. Then the plunger beam 18 is operated in the same manner under the action of the pump until the plungers are, thrust against the new charge. This time the plungers under the action of the pump will have a shorter stroke, i. e., a stroke lessened by the compressed column in the tubes, say 1%" according to our example. Thereupon the compressors 32 will start their downward movement and become first released to swing with a new set of grippers 39 into the path of the catches 18', of which the lowest ones are now flush with and engage the latter effecting the compression of the second charge to the same degree as during the first cycle.

After the return of the compressors 32 and of the beam 18 into initial position the second phase or cycle iscompleted.

These phases are repeated with standard size tubes T and with charges each about 5" column, about eighteen times. At the end of the last phase the cam 78 which during the entire period makesonly one revolution throws out of gear the hollow cam shaft 74 by lifting the pawl 77 out of engagement with the ratchet through the arm 148 so that the operation of the cams 142 actuating the valves 140 of the pump 27 and of the cams 143 actuating'the slides 63, 64 ceases. Simultaneously the rod 114 is acted upon by the same cam 7 8 effecting the depression of the arm 110 with the consequent release of the pawl 98 so that the latter is allowed to engage the ratchet 99 transmitting movement therethrough to the shaft 97. From the latter longitudinal movement is imparted to rack 106 through the gears 1.00 and 101 and crank 103, transmitting thereby rotary motion to the pinion 107 on the spindle 14 of the turntable 15, 16 and reversing the position of the two sets of tubes T in relation to the packing position. Of course prior to the release of the pawl 98 the pin or pins 124 are lifted from the upper plate 16 of the turntable through the action of the main cam 7 8 on the roller lever 137 in the aforedescribed manner.

While I have described the different details of the machine, I do not wish to limit myself to the same, since the construction of the machine may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is i 1. In a machine of the character described,

a plunger adapted to enter a stationary chamber containing material to be compressed, and two independently propelled means, one to permit the said plunger to move at variable and the other at constant strokes withinsaid chamber to compress successive charges therein to a predetermined density.

2. In a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter a chamber containing material to be compressed, and plunger actuating means permitting said plunger to move at variable strokes within said chamber to compress successive charges to a predetermined density, said means including a combination of yielding and positive means. 7

3. In a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter a chamber containing material to be compressed, yielding means permitting said plunger to move at variable strokes within said chamber according to the preceding filling therein and positive means for causing equal extent of movement of said plunger in said chamber to compresssuccessive charges to predetermined density.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a stationary chamber receiving successive charges of material, a plunger adapted to enter said chamber to compress' the successive charges therein and two independently propelled means, one per mitting said plunger to move at variable strokes and the other causing the same to move at constant strokes within said chamher to compress said charges to predetermined density.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a chamber to contain material to be compressed,of a plunger adapted to enter said chamber to compress successive charges ofsaid material, two independently propelled means, one permitting said plunger to move at variable strokes and the other causing the same to move at constant strokes within said chamber and means for holding said chamber stationary during the entire packing operation.

6. In a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter a chamber to compress material therein, the extent of the successive entries of said plunger being de termined by the preceding filling in said chamber and means for causing said plunger to move an additional'extent in said chamher uniform during all compression strokes to compress thesuccessive charges to a predetermined density. 7

7. In a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter achamber to compress material therein, means carrying said plunger, resilient means permitting said first named means'to successively move at different extent according to the preceding filling in said chamber, and positive means to additionally move said first named means, at each successive stroke thereof, a uniform extent, to compress the successive charges to the predetermined density.

8. In a machine of the character described, a pin! ger adapted to enter a clrnber to compress material therein, coun lanced means carrying said pl rcr, l'GSlilQnL- means permitting said first i. ied means to successively more at ditleri. extent according o the precediu illing i mid chamber, positive mea to additionally more i. Id first named means. at each successive stroke thereof, a uniform extent, to compress the successive charges to the predetermined density.

9. In a machine of the character described, a counterbalanced plunger adapted to en er chamber to compress material. therein esilient means permitting said plunger to move at different extent according to the gin-ceding fillingin said chamber and positive means for additionally movin said plunger in said chamber to comp s the preceding charge to the predetermined density.

10. In a machine of the character described, a cminterbalanced plunger adapted to enter a chamber containing material to be compressed, pneumatic means to permit said plunger to move at different extent according to the filling contained in said chamber and positive means for additionally moving said plunger in said chamber to compress the preceding charge to the predetermined density.

11. In a machine of the character described, an intermittently movable plunger adapted to enter a chamber to compress material therein, each compression stroke of said plunger bcin effected. in two successive movements, resilient means for effecting the first of said movements to an extent varying according to the filling of said chamber and the second of said movements being constant for compressing each charge to a predeter nined density.

12. In a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter a chamber to compress material therein, resilient means to impart successively varying move ments to said. plunger according to the or:- tent of filling of said chamber, and positive means to compress each successive charge to the same predetermined density, said positive means including reciprocating lugs.

13. In a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter a cham her to compress material therein, resilient means to impart successively varyingn'iovements to said plunger according to the extent of filling of said chamber, and positive means to compress each successive charge to the same predetermined density, said positive means including reciprocating'adjustable lugs. p I

14. in a machine of the character described, a plunger adapted to enter a charm her to compress material therein, pneumatic means for imparting successive intermittent movements to said plunger according to the filling contained in said chamber and posit've means to impart additional movements to said plunger to compress each charge to the same predetermined extent, said positive means including reciprocating lugs.

15. Ina machine of the character de-,

scribed, a plunger adapted toenter chamher to compress material therein, mechanically controlled means to feed successive charges into said chaniibcr, resilient means to move sz id plunger in said chamber subsequent to each operation 01" the feeding means, the eiitent of such movement being determined by the preceding filling in said chamber and means said. plunger in said chamber at a constant stroke to compress each successivecharge to the predetermined density.

16. In a machine of the character described, a chamber to contain material tobe compressed therein and adapted. to be heldv stationary during the packing operation a plunger adapted to enter sald chamber, means to teed successivecharges into said chamber, means to move said plunger into saidchamber subsequent to each operation of the feeding; means, the extent of such movement varying with the filling in said chamber, means-to additionally move said plunger in said ch amber at constant strokes,

to compress each successive charge tothe predetermined density, and means for mov ing said chamber out of filling position after the completion of the entire packing operation. I

17. in ainachine' of the character described, a reci 'atory beam, a plungercard by said beam and adapted to succes- 'ely enter a chamber to compressmaterial ths a compressor consisting of a longil! tently scribed, reciprocatory beam, at plunger carries; by said beam and adapted to successively enter a chamber to compress material the: a coinpr consisting of a longitudinally movable and rotary body having a to additionally move lyniorable and rotary body formed plurality of lugs displaced at an angle relabody and adapted to successively engage said beam, a spring actuated means to inter mittently rotate said body to successively bring the lugs into juxtaposition to said plunger and means to temporarily hold said body against rotation and in a position in which said lugs will clear the path. of beam.

19. In combination with a reciprocating member of progressively changeable stroke, oi positive means to move said member, said means comprising a longitudinally movable and rotary body having a plurality of longitudinally displaced lugs arranged at an angle to one another and adapted to successively engage said member, means for intermittently revolving said body to successively bring the lugs in juxtaposition to said member and means for temporarily hold ing said body from turning and in a position in which said lugs will clear the path of said member.

20. In machine of the character described, a counter-balanced plunger adapted to enter a chamber to compress material therein, pneumatic means, permitting said plunger to reciprocate at strokes varying with the filling of said chamber, positive means for moving said plunger in said chamber to compress the material to a pre determined density, means for supplying said chamber with successive charges of predetermined quantity and means for displacing the chamber from its filling position after the same has been completelypaclted.

21.111 a machine of the character described, the combination with a movable body, of a compressor consisting of-a longitudinally movable and rotary member and means projecting from the circumference ct said member and adapted at times to engagesaid member and depress the same.

22.111 a machine of the character dee scribed, a compressor as per claim 21, whose members are arranged in a plurality of sets displaced radially relative to one another.

In a machine of the character described, a compressor as per claim 21, and means for intermittently rotating said compressor to successively bring the difierent sets into operative position.'

24. In a machine ofthe character de scribed, the combination with a compressor said a as per claim 21, of means for controlling the rotary movement of said compressor.

In a machine of the character dcscribed, a longitudinally movable and rotary compressor having radially displaced sets,

oil? members, two ratches on said compres sor formed in extension of one another, the teeth of said ratchets being arrangedat an angle to one another, and a stationary pawl. adapted when the compressor is moved longitudinally to alternately engage said ratchets and while passing from one onto the other torelease the compressor and permit it to make aturn, to bring a set of said members into or remove the preceding set cl: members trom operative position,

in a machine of the character described, the combination with a compressor as per claim 25, of spring actuated means to impart rotary motion thereto.

27.131 machine of the character described, the combination with a compressor as per claim 22', of means for imparting thereto longitudinally reciprocating movementand means for intermittently rotating it around its longitudinal axis. I

28111 a machine of the character described, vertically reciprocating plunger beam, counterbalanced means operatively connectee to said beam, and cam controlled pneumatic means fo moving said counterbalanced means.

29 in a machine of the character described, a plunger beam, and operating means therefor including a constantly driven shaft, hollow cam shaft thereon, and cam controlled coupling means interposed between said two shafts.

30. in a machine of the character described, a plunger beam and operating therefon including a constantly driven shai'ti a hollow cam shatt thereon, a one tooth ratchetcarried by the latter. a pawl carried by said first named shattand adapt-- to normally cooperate with said ratchet and cam controlled means 'lor lifting said pawl from said ratchet at the completion of the packing operation. I

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence or" two witnesses.

. MAL ELLRICH.

Witnesses 7 MAX D. ORDMANN, JOSEPH T. McMAHoN. 

